Below are the most recent 13 friends' journal entries.

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
dimitra	7:57p	Too many morons - too little time   I'll just sit here and watch my freckles multiply. Current Mood: annoyed (5 Comments |Comment on this)
dimitra	4:26p	Law Geekery - JR delights? i thought this might be of interest to some of you (if you don't already know about it) -- it certainly caught *my* attention! (I only regret I had to set my EU and Public Law questions way before this came out...) A certain Mr Stuart Wheeler has just been granted permission for a judicial review against the PM and the Foreign Secretary, challenging their refusal to hold a referendum on whether the Lisbon Treaty should be ratified... The substantive ground is breach of legitimate expectation created through (allegedly) express promises given by the defendants when making statements of policy regarding intended government action. His website can be accessed here http://www.stuartwheeler.co.uk/index.html  I could bore you with my views -- but I won't. Suffice to say I'll be very interested to hear the precise manner in which the High Court  will throw the case out! Current Mood: excited (Comment on this)
remotepush	11:29a	Event:Einsturzende Neubauten @ Nuits Sonores Venue: Le Transbordeur, Lyon, 11th May 2008 I visited Lyon for the 6th annual Nuits Sonores festival, a festival which started out as being electronic and now describes itself as being electronic and indie. Its origins appear to have been more experimental in nature than they are now, most of the bands playing tending towards being dance music. Though the last night's special concert stands out as being an enigma in their midst, as well as the main draw for why I was there - Einsturzende Neubauten. Around the rest of the festival, turning corners to find banging street parties - in little squares, courtyards, swimming pools, or station roof tops - there were a few events dedicated to the idea of Berlin and Neubauten. The first of these was on the 9th of May, a series of "relevant" films. The first of the films was a piece called Berlin Babylon, a documentary about building in Berlin after the wall came down, with an opening quote about building towers in Babylon. The film had a soundtrack by Neubauten, hence its relevance. However, after a couple of false starts and delays that threw the rest of the program out of synch, it was clear that this wasn't really the most exciting documentary ever. We witnessed various stages of construction projects - theatre conversions, old buildings used by Nazis transformed, the building of the new Reichstag and the Sony Centre at Potsdammer. To a degree, having been to Berlin, I had a certain interest in seeing spaces become buildings I had visited. But there was no overall narration to bring the film to coherence, and instead it becomes quite a random collection of meetings, buildings, and nothing to link it all together. With the disorganisation behind the festival, several people then had to wander around to trying to find someone to start the next film, no one from the event having volunteered their presence. In the meantime, people came and went, didn't find the film they expected to be showing and made other plans. Eventually we got the next piece, Palace Der Republik, a live film of Neubauten playing in Berlin's Palace of the Republic building before it was torn down. The building was a massive concrete thing, with shiny coloured glass windows, in the Berlin Babylon piece they described it as an "eyesore" that should be torn down. It may have taken longer than they wanted, but it was in fact torn down. The gig was pretty representative of recent performances by the band - like the one they played in Glasgow last year, or this weekend's one in Lyon - with a few site specific pieces added. As a live recording its a pretty impressive film, though its obviously been edited to remove conversation with the audience and audience reaction, which removes a little of the atmosphere one gets from the real thing. The last piece was a short film called Neubauten.org, again the disorganisation caused problems with this piece, as again they were not present to change films. When they did turn up we were told they weren't going to show it, because they had run too late. Then they decided that they were going to show it. So we started to watch it, probably getting 3/4 through it, before someone else turned up and made a half hearted apology and stopped the film - such that you would never guess that these were people who had been running a festival for six years now. This piece, what we saw of it, was probably of mixed interest, personally I actually found it fascinating on a number of levels. Primarily it discusses how a band that have been going for something like 25 years changed completely the paradigm of how they work, and did it in such a way that they appear to be doing quite well in a climate where the music "industry" is struggling. Secondarily it discusses the apparatus that enables that paradigm shift, the subscribers, and the way its created a community for them that is particularly modern and internet based/inspired. When their existing record deal came to an end this old band were faced with a question - what are Einsturzende Neubauten? Are they a band with a future? Or is that it, no contracted reason to exist, so do they keep going, and if so in what form? Around then their webmaster suggested neubauten.org, engage the people that actually listen to the band and set up a subscription base. Various bands have done this before, said to fans, you send us money now, it'll fund the album and you'll get first/cheaper/exclusive access to the result. Neubauten.org approaches the idea on a scale greater than that which I have encountered previously. Subscribers get access to subscriber only releases, online streaming rehearsal/recording sessions where the band works through the new material, and exclusive forums/chat functions where they can form a community and communicate with each other. Which has transformed relationships between the band and the subscribers, and the subscribers relationships with each other. Something which is all covered in the film about Neubauten.org and gets to the heart of who the band have become so that the Einsturzende Neubauten of today are re-energized and re-imagined. On the 10th of May we had the second of the series of events put on by the disorganisation - Ship Of Fools. A collaboration between Danielle de Picciotto and Alexander Hacke, Hacke being one of the core members of Neubauten. Hacke also made the documentary Crossing The Bridge: The Music of Istanbul, a music documentary about his exploration of music of all kinds in the Turkish city of Istanbul, which I saw a couple of years ago. According to the ticket the gig starts at five on the Saturday afternoon, according to the festival brochure it starts at five thirty, turning up on the day at five we are told six. When we query the disorganisation about this we are told it was always six and we are clearly wrong and liars if we were to suggest anything else. Charming. Surprisingly, a lot of people turn up at five, and wait around till we are let in at six. The venue is a basement auditorium in the refurbished Opera building in Lyon. We are sat in a circle, at the centre of which the pair perform with an assortment of laptops, samplers, chaos pads, electronics, guitar and accordion. While for each track a series of images, jerky animations, or film play with the theme of the collected material. The result is a kind of punky country and western lounge music, with perhaps a dash of burlesque. There is a certain tongue in cheek approach to the performance, and there are a couple of pieces I kind of enjoy, but for the most part it isn't entirely my cup of tea. Sunday, May the 11th, the main event of the weekend, Einsturzende Neubauten live at Le Transbordeur in Lyon. Arriving outside there is an immediate buzz, people climbing out of cars, meeting friends, joining the line along the fence that leads to the entrance to Le Transbordeur. Everyone is in a good mood, filled with anticipation. As we get inside the buzz steps up a notch - to the side of the entrance is the merchandise, with people eagerly buying CDs and t-shirts, in front there is an industrial, internal crane, which hangs over the bar which is below, where a DJ plays loud and enthusiastic music. We ignore the DJ, and enter the main hall. The hall is a pretty big room, perhaps comparable overall to the Tramway in Glasgow where I saw the band 13 months before. Though here the second part of the hall is a stepped slope leading down to the main body of the room. When I saw them last time I was right down the front, this time I am content to sit with friends on the steps, directly behind the sound and light desk. One of the things that the new Neubauten do is that they record every gig, as it happens, live. Then sell it as a 2 disc set at the end of the show. In Glasgow there was a glitch, and they didn't get the first half of the set, so just burnt copies from the previous night's gig - I didn't buy it, now I probably wish I had. Sat where we were gave the event a curious edge, because we could see the "CD factory" at work, the stacks of card sleeves, the stacks of Neubauten branded discs waiting to be burnt. Obviously, the way it works, to be possible, means you don't get the entire gig, but its still a fascinating thing to watch. This time we certainly bought copies of the gig at the end. Neubauten played for nearly 2 hours by my reckoning, certainly something like that, with no support band. Playing 18 tracks, across that time, a break for an encore and a couple of advertising breaks - the advertising promoting the subscription idea, the live recording idea, and providing the gaps to change discs in the recording process. When I saw them last year they were taking a break from recording, a mini-mid-album-tour. As such they played more material from Perpetuum Mobile, which was the result of Phase I of the subscription material. This time the album is finished, Phase II is complete, and while there were a few tracks from the unreleased Alles Wieder Offen, now that the album is out it makes up a bigger chunk of this performance. Though there are a few tracks from other recent releases, including a subscriber album, the last copies of which are on sale on the tour. The set up for the six piece band is the same as the film for Palace Der Republik and from last time I saw them. Though this time there is a dedicated backdrop for Alles Wieder Offen, which shifts with the changes in the lights through the various tracks. Percussionist N.U. Unruh at the left of the stage on the raised platform, with his assortment of tubes, metal blocks and sheets. Rudi Moser in centre of the platform with his drum kit, made up of more slabs of metal and springs as well as more traditional components. Then Ash Wednesday to the right of the platform, with keyboards and laptop. In front of him on the stage is guitarist Jochen Arbeit, then Blixa Bargeld on vocals in the centre, with Alexander Hacke finally on bass back on the left of the stage. Though of course, throughout, the members move around, playing various pieces of percussion and home made instrumentation, depending on the particular track. Especially in the piece of improvisation they play as a second last track of the night - instructions drawn blind from a bag determining the instruments the member is to play and the manner in which they were to be played. Who were Neubauten? How have Neubauten changed? There is a perception that they were a noise industrial band, stacks of crashing metal percussion and howling vocals. And that’s all there, Blixa howls like a demon, between singing songs, while between Unruh and Moser there is plenty of crashing metal. But the band have evolved, the still have the feeling of being the same band, now there is more density and layers of sensation. The result live is almost absurdly too good. The sound intensely crisp, and clean, and bristling with life, the performers engaging with the music and the audience. So that in the end we barely notice that it has been two hours and 18 tracks since the band Einsturzende Neubauten took to the stage. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, May 12th, 2008
dimitra	11:43p	ZOMG -- SATC London premiere I just CAN'T WAIT to see the film! And yes, I know it's silly and sad, but if I lived in London I would have probably queued to see them, too.... Now, let's look - and talk! - about  frocks: the winner for me is..... KIM CATRALL!!! Hands down. Then again, I always do like Vivienne's dresses. (Not sure about the shoes: was expecting something with a bit more 'wow', but still) Current Mood: excited (2 Comments |Comment on this)
dimitra	10:36a	Hear hear Yesterday  I had the best night's sleep in AGES in this place! BIG THANKS to cpn_jacksparrow who went on and on about earplugs: they really did work! (9 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, May 7th, 2008
news [ theljstaff ]	5:49p	May News V-Gift for Charity This month is Mental Health Awareness Month, so the LiveJournal team is offering users a chance to support the Depression and Bipolar Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping improve the lives of those suffering from mood disorders. Proceeds from purchases of the Emerging Sun v-gift during May will be donated to the DBSA, so feel free to buy one. Or, if you really want to rack up some good karma points, get a bunch! And don't forget: Mother's Day is this Sunday. Be a dear and check out the v-gifts shop. Send something that'll make her smile. L to R: Emerging Sun, #1 Mom, Gift Basket, Chocolates, A Dozen Red Roses Brand-Spanking New, Contest-Winning Themes We know how you salivate over the prospect of new themes, especially when they're designed by users with a unique handle on both form and function. L to R: Shiny, River at Night, Live and Learn, Vector Drips. ( Winners of the HP 'What Do You Have to Say?' Theme Design Contest ) Advisory Board Nominations We'd like to remind you that the nomination process for LiveJournal Advisory Board user-representatives has begun. If you think you're fit for the job, now's the time to nominate yourself! After all, you're the only who can do it. In two weeks, on the 22nd, the voting process will begin; we'll remind you about it again here. If you're interested in keeping up with the nominations, watch lj_election_en. We'll post the results and announce the winner by the end of the day on May 30th. The new user-representatives will be seated on June 1st. Further details can also be found in lj_2008. (281 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
dimitra	5:54p	The alien attack So, today I set off to work quite nicely (i.e. respectably) dressed -- I thought -- which is relevant in the sense that I am pretty sure I looked quite 'normal'. (Well, hair aside perhaps - but yeah). I am standing at the traffic light waiting to cross the street and I can see a couple of tourists (I'm guessing), in their late 50s, struggling with a map -- you know, the works: turning it upside down, trying to read street names, looking north, looking south, discussing. Now, what does a good girl-scout do, although it meant separating myself from my ipod? Why, yes, i hear you say, once we were both in the middle of our crossing-the-road I ask them politely "Do you need any help?". They looked at me TERRIFIED, like, I was a junkie whore alien thief. They went "Ermm, no no, sorry, we don't... we, no..." so I'm like "OK, I just thought you needed help with the map" at which point they practically sprinted across the other side of the road. I think they were American, or perhaps English. ?!?!?WTF???? I'm done with people's crazy, honestly... Is it because I'm a foreigner? Or is it (always) them? Current Mood: shocked (9 Comments |Comment on this)
dimitra	9:26a	... I won't say it  A British couple, who allegedly got so drunk that they passed out while in charge of their three young children during a holiday in Portugal, are expected to appear before a judge. Current Mood: annoyed (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, May 5th, 2008
news [ theljstaff ]	10:56a	Advisory Board Nominations Open Advisory Board Nominations Begin This morning we are opening the nomination process for the user-representative positions on the LiveJournal Advisory Board. A full description of the process can be found here. To get you started, here are the basic things you should know: - You may only nominate yourself - Each nominee will need 100 motions of support in order to be eligible to be a candidate - We ask that you keep your comments on the nomination posts to "I support this nomination" or something to that effect; be kind to those who will need to count the "supports", please. - Although the nominations and election poll will take place in lj_election_en, you do not need to watch the community in order to keep up with the election; we'll announce everything here as well. Everyone here at LiveJournal is looking forward to this first-ever User-Representative election! We'd like to thank everyone who is participating. Some words from our current Advisory Board members: danah boyd: “LiveJournal is filled with very passionate users. These users have helped shaped LJ's various communities over the last decade and it gives me great joy that LJ is recognizing and incorporating users' voices into the decision-making processes. Having user representatives from different parts of LJ on the Advisory Board will help make sure that the company is meeting the needs of its diverse constituents.” Esther Dyson: "I'm sure we'll learn a lot from the process, and later on from the two users selected as well. Especially, I hope that the discussions before the voting will be more meaningful and more focused on policy than those in some offline campaigns." Brad Fitzpatrick: "It's cool that SUP is getting users involved with the LiveJournal decision-making process. I look forward to seeing who the community elects and the results of our efforts working together." Professor Lawrence Lessig: “The user elections will provide a critical check on LJ's process of maintaining a valuable and trustworthy environment for the LJ community. The mandate of the elections will give the user representatives pride of place among the members of the Advisory Board. Each of us will look to them to guide us in our judgment about how best to make LJ the community we all aspire that it will be. I look forward to welcoming the user representatives, and learning a great deal from them.” chasethestars has also made some banners for you to use, if you'd like to show your support for the candidate of your choice! ( Banners + code for you to use! ) Current Mood: chipper (316 Comments |Comment on this)
remotepush	4:10p	13:05 They were on strike for Sunday and Monday, and there was rumours they would do the same thing next week. # 13:06 To shut the line down entirely takes 7 days, if they were going on strike next week, then there would be no point bringing line back up now. # 13:06 The word on the ground is that the line is being brought back up. As fuel prices spike, as garages run out, this will be good news. # 13:10 We'll need a 50 ton crane, he thinks. Access is good at both ends, he says, which will make life easier for the job. He gave the rate before # 13:39 She flip flaps by, feet too swollen from recent tattooing to get proper shoes on. Curling black script along the sides, her dog's names. # 15:27 Thats her gone. That little bomb girl. Blonde gone brown. In her wake all comes tumbling down. Drama queen ignition phase. She'll be missed. # 08:23 They'll be getting her ready. Laying her out on the table. Cutting her open. She says its not a big deal. But it is, kept awake nights. # 09:30 mythaxis.co.uk/ - issue 2 online now, includes short story by me - Red Fever. # 12:06 @bkkeepr 1401216633 25 # 13:27 trying to get bkkeepr working, but it doesn't seem to understand me. oh the tragedy... # 09:44 D&A. Drugs & Alcohol testing. We screen people. Its a safety thing as much as anything else. Can't be too careful in our industry. # 09:45 D&A. This morning I am a witness. Make sure all the forms are read, and signed, and witnessed. Whole thing takes about 20 minutes. # 09:47 D&A. There is a man standing behind you as you piss into a plastic cup. Your first instinct is to close the cubicle door. You're told not to # 09:51 D&A. As witness you are supposed to watch the man pissing. Make sure he isn't interfering with the sample. But your presence makes him nervy # 09:53 D&A. Make sure the lid is secure the examiner says. We've had some spillages before, he says, touching the cup tentatively with blue gloves. # 09:54 D&A. Sinks the plunger in, releasing the chemical into the urine sample. Lines flicker up the three bars on the front, they all appear ok. # 14:38 Sitting listening to BBC radio, wondering why, why am I listening to non-stop news about election which has absolutely nothing to do with me # (Comment on this)
Saturday, May 3rd, 2008
dimitra	6:22p	"Oh Richie - fuck me like a cop, not a lawyer!" Gangstah class. Yup. Current Mood: amused (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 1st, 2008
remotepush	8:49p	0411 I can see what you can't see! 0411 I can see what you can't see! Originally uploaded by Ni ～ ♡ 0409 Cut and Paste～ Originally uploaded by Ni ～ ♡ Just come across this pair of images from a girl in Taiwan, I like her style, particularly here. (Comment on this)
dimitra	5:55p	Feeling very self indulgent Oh go on now, you know you want to! Reply with an anonymous comment. 1. One secret. 2. One compliment. 3. One random thing 4. One love note. 5. Lyrics to a song. 6. How old you are. 7. How long we've been friends. 8. And a hint to who you are. Current Mood: amused (6 Comments |Comment on this)